“Winterizing your home is something that needs to be taken care of well in advance of winter storms and cold weather
,” stated Randy Holmes, Retail Operations Manager at Sneade’s
Holmes
offers tips and project ideas to shield your home from freezing temperatures and hazardous winter weather:
·
Fill-In the Gaps
: Spray-foam insulation is a simple and easy way to seal gaps in a roof. Even if there are no gaps visible, additional insulation may be needed to prevent warm air from rising into the upper portions of your home and escaping.
·
Windows and Walls:
When winterizing your home, install storm windows or use plastic sheeting to cover windows to reduce your heating bills. You can insulate your windows from both the outside and inside.
Additionally, you should pay special attention your home’s attic areas and pipes.
·
Home Heating Know-How
: Heating equipment is a leading factor in home fires during cooler months. For your safety, have furnaces professionally cleaned and maintained each fall by a reputable service person before cold weather sets in. And while space heaters are a great way to target your coldest rooms, never leave them unattended, and be sure you’re using them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
· Gutter Control: Gutter cleaning, care and maintenance are necessary to protect the exterior of your home. Most debris that lands on your roof from rainwater and snowstorms ends up in the gutters, and over time will clog them. In both metal and plastic gutters, water and debris can cause damage like cracks, mold and rust. You should also fix leaks at gutter seams with silicone sealant.
- Putting Your Lawn to Bed: One of the best times to take care of your lawn is during the fall in order to prepare it for the winter. Renting a core aerator to pull plugs from the ground will send air to the soil’s surface. Then, apply a winterizing fertilizer to help promote deep root growth in early spring.
- Get With The Program: By using a programmable thermostat, you can automatically turn down your heat at night or when you are not home during the workday. Whether your goal is to save money on your heating bill or conserve energy, a programmable thermostat is a great solution.
- Weathering the Storm: Falling temperatures mean snow and other hazardous winter storms are around the corner. To prepare, assemble a disaster kit that includes items such as a First Aid kit, battery-powered lamps and a radio, fresh batteries, drinking water, canned food and a non-electric can opener.
“
Winter weather is hard on homes and outside areas. To protect your most valued asset, take action to prepare your home for the coming months
,” explained Holmes. “To avoid major complications this winter, it is best to prepare your home for cold weather and winter storms. Although the tasks that you are handling now might not bring immediate rewards, hesitating on preparedness can leave a laundry list of problems to fix… and considerable grief come spring!”
For more information, visit your neighborhood Ace Hardware store or go to www.acehardware.com to learn more about Ace products, as well as DIY tips and project ideas from Lou Manfredini, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware